3:15 [fezco]

fifteen

F I F T E E N - O N L Y   L O V E   C A N   H U R T   L I K E   T H I S

"your kisses burn into my skin, only love can hurt like this. but it's the sweetest pain burning hot through my veins. love is torture, makes me more sure, only love can hurt like this."

---

The car ride was silent the entire way back to Rue's house. She passed my purse to me once we left the party, and I spent the entirety of the drive staring down at it while I replayed tonight's events. My head was fuzzy from the mix of stress, alcohol, and cocaine. My ankle was sore from when Fez pushed me over and as the adrenaline washed away, I found myself realizing just how much it hurt.

I removed my heels to get a better look at the damage, seeing that the area was turning purple and tender to the touch. When I processed that it was Fez's actions that injured my ankle, I angrily drew my good foot back and kicked it into the back of his seat twice. Ashtray let out a snort, and Fez inhaled deeply but said nothing. When we arrived at Rue's, she gave me a tight hug before stepping out of the car and saying her goodbyes to Fez and Ash.

"You should go with her," Fez's tone was firm, causing me to raise my eyebrows at his order.

"The only way I'm getting out of this car is if you physically drag me out." I challenged him.

"Don't fuckin' tempt me, Soph."

"Try it, please." I could see his jaw clench from my spot in the middle seat. Rue awkwardly closed the door, and as soon as she entered her house, Fez sped off.

Once again, the car was enveloped in silence until we arrived at his house. Once the car was in park, he yanked out the keys and flew out the door, storming up the sidewalk to his house. Ashtray followed, albeit slower, leaving me in the backseat. I shook my head, fighting back tears as I slipped across the backseat and opened my own door, grabbing my purse and slowly putting my bare feet on the ground. I tried to stand but found myself unsuccessful, leaning up against side of the car.

"Fuck me," I cried out, sobbing quietly. It seemed like both boys left me out here to fend for myself, but no more than 30 seconds later, Ashtray came back down the path that led to the house.

"You good?" He stopped in front of me, crossing his arms as he looked me over.

"I—I can't walk," I admitted, fighting back another sob. His eyes fell on my right ankle that I had elevated off the ground to keep pressure off it.

"He did that?" He nodded his head toward my foot.

"Yeah,"

"He didn't mean to," Ashtray stepped forward, grabbing my purse from the floor before sliding his arm under my shoulders allowing me to lean my weight onto him. I scoffed as we began to walk.

"He still did it."

"I know, I'm not saying its not fucked up. I'm just saying he didn't realize it was you he pushed."

"How do you know? You weren't even there."

"It was the first thing he said when he got back to the car before you came out." I frowned, looking down at the young boy who guided me inside. "And about that guy. Listen—"

"Ash—"

"Listen." His voice was firm. He stopped walking as we reached the door, turning his head to look at me. "I understand, I know why you did it. But it was fucked up too. You both fucked up, you both regret it. You should talk to him before you two continue to hurt each other." He paused, letting his eyes search my face before he continued. "I love you, Soph. You're like my sister," he admitted. "But Fez is my brother. And I hate seeing you guys so fucked up over what happened. You were good for him, really good; probably the best thing he's ever had. He was good for you too." With that, he turned away from me, guiding me up the stairs.